Monday 11 June 2018 09:37, UK
Wales head coach Warren Gatland hopes Shaun Edwards will stay on as defence coach until the 2019 World Cup in Japan but would not stand in his way if another job opportunity came along.
England boss Eddie Jones is looking for a new defence coach after Paul Gustard agreed to join Premiership club Harlequins and there have been reports that Edwards, who has a year left on his Wales contract, is a leading candidate for the job.
The former rugby league standout would also appeal to the Rugby Football Union (RFU), who are keen to appoint an Englishman.
"He's committed to us until the World Cup," Gatland told reporters. "But if other opportunities come along, he needs to consider those because he's out of contract after the World Cup.
"There are two or three world-class defensive coaches out there and he's definitely one of them."
Former Wasps coach Edwards has been part of Gatland's Wales coaching set-up since 2008, the pair winning three Six Nations titles together.
Earlier this year Edwards said he would listen to a head coach's offer "in rugby league or rugby union" if one came his way.
